Microsoft is reshaping Windows 11 into an agentic, AI-native operating system, positioning Copilot as a first-class system participant that can understand context, take actions, and carry out tasks across apps and settings. The company is now delivering the Windows 11 25H2 update, alongside major Copilot and agentic experiences that make every Windows 11 PC feel like an AI PC.

The shift arrives just as Windows 10 exits mainstream support and Windows 11 becomes the default home for new AI-powered features—an era where “talking to your PC” becomes the natural way to interact.

Copilot becomes the system’s intelligence layer

Microsoft’s new Copilot experience goes beyond chat—it now acts as an agent across the OS, executing real actions and understanding user intent.

Key upgrades in 25H2 and Insider builds

  • Direct control of Settings:
    Copilot can now open and modify Windows settings directly. You can ask it to turn on Bluetooth, change power modes, or toggle accessibility features.
  • Settings AI Agent (Dev & Copilot+ PCs):
    Powered by a new on-device model called Mu, the Settings interface now understands natural requests and can complete multi-step configuration tasks for you.
  • File Explorer AI Actions:
    AI-powered quick actions like Summarize, Blur Background, Erase Objects, and Remove Background appear right in the context menu—integrating capabilities from Paint, Photos, and Copilot.
  • Microsoft 365 integrations:
    Business and 365 users can now see People Cards in File Explorer and use Summarize directly from the right-click menu for OneDrive and SharePoint files.
  • Gaming Copilot (Beta):
    Integrated into the Game Bar, this Copilot mode acts as a personal gaming assistant—offering in-game help, strategy tips, or achievement info using natural voice commands.
  • Widgets and Discover feed refresh:
    The Widgets board gains a redesigned Discover feed with Copilot-curated stories, videos, and summaries, plus multiple dashboards and lock screen widgets.
  • Voice access with natural language commanding:
    You can now speak to Windows naturally—“Can you open Edge?” works as well as “Open Edge.” This flexibility reduces friction for accessibility users and everyday voice control alike.

Deepening AI experiences across Windows

File Explorer and Creative Tools

AI actions extend across Windows’ creative apps:

  • Photos: blur or erase unwanted objects using generative AI.
  • Paint: one-click background removal and project file support (.paint).
  • Snipping Tool: instant markup before saving a screenshot.
  • Notepad: summarize, write, and rewrite text locally—no subscription required on Copilot+ PCs.

Recall (preview)

On Copilot+ PCs, Recall introduces a new personalized homepage that surfaces your recent snapshots, top apps, and frequently used websites—helping you resume past activities seamlessly.

Click to Do

AI-powered quick actions now show popular action tags and offer concise summaries using Microsoft’s Phi Silica small language model.

Developer and system enhancements

  • Advanced Settings redesign:
    Formerly “For Developers,” this page now includes Git repository details in File Explorer and is open source on GitHub.
  • Windows ML (GA):
    The built-in AI runtime now supports on-device inferencing across CPU, GPU, and NPU—serving as the foundation for Windows AI Foundry.
  • Rust in the Windows kernel:
    Microsoft has rewritten parts of the kernel in Rust, improving memory safety and reducing attack surfaces.
  • Wi-Fi 7 support:
    Windows 11 now supports Wi-Fi 7 for faster, more reliable connections, including enterprise networks.
  • Task Manager improvements:
    Standardized CPU metrics and an optional “CPU Utility” column improve consistency with third-party monitoring tools.

Security and privacy

Microsoft is establishing new guardrails for agentic behavior, ensuring transparency and user control as Copilot gains the ability to take system actions.

Key updates include:

  • Visual refresh for Windows Hello, prioritizing the best credential automatically.
  • Passkey manager integration, allowing third-party credential managers like 1Password to work natively with Windows Hello.
  • Improved phishing and malware protection, part of Microsoft’s Windows Resiliency Initiative.
  • App Control for Business, letting IT admins allow only verified apps through Intune-managed installers.

Rollout and compatibility

Channel / VersionKey updates
Windows 11 25H2 (general rollout) Copilot deep integration, AI actions, voice-first interactions, new security model
Windows Insider Dev (Build 26220.6780) Settings AI agent, improved Search, File Explorer context menu dividers, dark Run dialog
Windows Insider Canary (Build 27971) Notification Center on active display, clock with seconds, assorted fixes
Copilot app (Store) Direct access to Windows settings, task execution, and enhanced actioning

Windows 11 version 25H2 is now available through the “seeker” experience in Windows Update.

Go to Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates to install it manually. Once updated, install the October 2025 cumulative security update to ensure you receive the latest Copilot and agentic improvements.

The big picture

Windows 11’s new wave of features marks a turning point.

With Copilot now acting as a system-level agent, AI is no longer an add-on—it’s becoming the organizing principle of how Windows works. From adjusting settings and summarizing files to executing natural voice commands, the operating system itself is learning to understand intent and context—bringing Microsoft’s “agentic PC” vision into everyday use.